Sensory preconditioning. (A) Case of the AB odor pair. Rabbit pups were exposed to odorants A+B on day 1 (d1), then conditioned to odorant A by association with the mammary pheromone (MP) on day 2. The behavioral response to A and B was tested 24 h later. Sensory preconditioning occurred since pups responded not only to A, but also to B. (B) Case of the CD odor pair. Pups were exposed to odorants C+D and then MP-conditioned to C before testing to C or D. They responded to C but also to D. (C,D) Associative nature of the sensory preconditioning. Pups were separately exposed to odorant A then odorant B, before being MP-conditioned to A (C) or exposed to A+B before being separately stimulated with A then with the MP (D). All of them were finally tested for their response to A, B, and MP. When the association of A and B or A and MP is prevented, respectively on day 1 and on day 2, sensory preconditioning does not occur. (*) P < 0.05.
